Bobbin marking machine



March 21, 1950 H. J. THEILER BOBBIN MARKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1945 ,INVEN 013 I ATTORNEYS March 21, 1950 H. J. THEILER BOBBIN MARKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1945 lll r I l ATTORN Patented Mar. 21, 1950 BOBBIN MARKING MACHINE Hans "J. Theiler, Whitinsville, Mass., assignor to Whitin Machine Works, Whitinsville, Mast, a. corporation of Massachusetts Application July 26, 1945, Serial No. 607,232

16 Claims.

This invention is a bobbin marking machine for application to, or incorporation in, machines which automatically produce wound bobbins or packages of yarn ready for use in loom shuttles, or the like, and its purpose is to make a chalk mark, or the like, on such packages as they are delivered from the machine so as to identify the kind of yarn they carry for convenience and accurancy in later manufacturing operations.

According to this invention, the yarn package produced in the automatic winder is propelled by applied force, out of that machine and through a marking passageway which is constituted in part by the marking element itself which latter is pressed against the yarn as it passes and makes its mark thereon by rubbing upon it. The marking element may comprise one or more pieces of chalk or similar material, of one or different colors, set in a tray or holder which is springpressed toward the bobbin as it passes so as to make a firm and unmistakable longitudinal stripe, or a multiple stripe if desired. A strong mark is practically indispensable for reliable identification and is obtained by forcing the bobbin endwise through the passage containing the spring-pressed, rubbing type marking element.

This principle of operation is demonstrated in the structure shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a partial top plan of a multiple head winding machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the heads 7 thereof having the invention applied;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the marking assembly of Fig. 2 in larger scale;

Fig. 4 a section on line IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar section with the parts in a difierent position, and

Fig. 6 is a detail of the yarn package, and

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of bobbin driver.

The automatic winder, that is to say, the means for continuously producing wound packages or bobbins to be marked is constituted of a series or row of individual independently operating winding heads I, only conventionally shown because the specific nature of this mechanism is not important to the invention. Each head, of which there may be many to a machine, includes head and tail chucks 2 and 3, between which the bobbin 4 is held and by which it is rotated for winding. The heads are driven by friction drive-gears 5 from a longitudinal driveshaft 6, extending the length of the machine.

When the winding of the bobbin is completed,

having then the form and general contour indicated in Fig. 6, the chucks 2 and 3 separate and the wound bobbin drops head first into a chute 1, indicated in Fig. 4. Here it remains, resting momentarily against the chute outlet door 8, while the yarn trailing from it is severed, thus preparing the bobbin for discharge. The automatic yarn-cutter for this purpose is well understood and therefore omitted from the drawing.

It will be understood that as soon as one bobbin enters the chute and its trailing yarn is out, another empty bobbin is automatically introduced between the chucks 2 and 3, and the winding process is repeated, also that the same action occurs independently and continuously in all of the heads of the machine so that some one of the chutes l is most always in the process of delivering a wound bobbin.

The chute door 8 is operated through its supporting arm 9, and the lever connections indicated by II) in Fig. 2 from appropriate gearing contained within the gearbox of the head I.

On the opening of the door the bobbin slides, butt first, through a guide fixture applied to the chute outlet and composed essentially of a floor or shelf I I with two upstanding convergent wings or walls l2 on each side of it. This fixture is attached in any convenient way, preferably removably, to the lower end of the chute so as to extend beyond the door 8, and is desirably made of thin sheet metal so as to have some flexibility which enables it to yield when necessary to such pressure as the bobbin may at times exert upon it. Its purpose is to guide the bobbin straight into the marking passageway so that its butt end will be properly grasped by the bobbin driver.

The marker mechanism proper is supported on a portion of the winding machine frame represented by the longitudinal frame rod I3, held in brackets 14 and running the length of the machine, and likewise by the longitudinal driveshaft l5 which'is journalled in the same brackets M. This shaft is driven by helical gears I6 and cross-shaft I! from the main power shaft 3, as indicated in Fig. 2, being thus continuously rotated.

At each winding head the marker mechanism includes an element l9 against which the bobbin can bear as it passes through the marker mechanism, and the function of which is to sustain the bobbin against the thrust of the bobbin driver 20 on the bobbin. Preferably this pressure-sustaining element I9 is a wheel, and conveniently the marker drive-shaft l5 forms the support for an idler carrier wheel l9 which can rotate on the shaft and is located thereon between the arms or branches of the chalk tray presently referred to, so as to be thereby kept aligned with the guide fixture "-12. This wheel I9 forms a rolling carrier on which the bobbin rides through the marking zone and which'sustains the pressure exerted on the bobbin by the bobbin driver. It is shown in the present case as constituted of a single circular disc which is relatively thin in order to be accommodated in the space allowed for it between the arms of the double-armed chalk tray, but where more space is available, as in the case of single armed trays, it could be made thicker or be twinned or duplexed to serve the same purpose, that is to say, to form a pressure-sustaining movable carrier for the bobbin while being forced through.

On release from the chute the bobbin butt encounters the rim of wheel l9 and its upper side also comes into the range of action 'of the bobbin driver 20, which in the present case is a small wheel, indicated as metal, with a toothed or scalloped rim. It is fixed on a short axle 2| which is journalled in the swinging end of a driver-frame 22 pivoted at 23 on the marker base bracket 24, which latter is rigidly and also adjustably, clamped as indicated to the longitudinal frame rod I3. The driver-frame 22 is shown U-shaped, and pivoted to the pivot pin 23, by its two legs with the driver-wheel 20 cated between the legs whereby it is aligned to the guide fixture and the pressure disc IS.

The axle 2|, which rotates the bobbin driver 20, driving axle 2| is driven by its sprocket wheel 25 and a slack sprocket chain 26 from a sprocket wheel 2'! fast on the driving-shaft l5, above referred to and in the direction indicated by the arrow. The slackness in the sprocket chain 28 provides for continuity of drive of the driverwheel 20, regardless of the up-and-down movement permitted to the driver-frame 22 about its pivot 23. This will be recognized as the equivalent of any other means of continuously driving a wheel that is to rotate on a movable axis, but the slack-chain has an advantage in the present case which will presently appear.

The structure or configuration of the rim of the driver-wheel 20 is selected or adapted for the double purpose of seizing on the bobbin-butt as well as on the yarn mass thereon so as to propel the bobbin positively and completely through the marking zone. Bobbins are commonly formed with corrugated butts, the corrugations being constituted by three or more circumferential steel rings 21 partly countersunkin the wooden core. The scallops shown in the driver wheel rim are shaped to grasp these rings or corrugations so as to-take hold of the bobbin and draw it into the space between such wheel and the pressure-sustaining wheel l9 and thus start the bobbin in its passage, whereupon the continuing grip of the driver wheel on the yarn mass propels it the rest of the way.

The advantage of the slack-chain drive in this arrangement is that the direction of its motion tends to pull the driver wheel downwards toward, and press it against, the bobbin, aiding gravity in this respect, and thereby insuring that the appropriate pressure will be exerted for overcoming such resistance to movement as may be encountered and which may be variable with successive bobbins. It will be apparent that the axis of the driver-wheel 20 moves up and down as it engages the successive different package diameters while continuously maintaining its necessary traction thereon.

Greater hub-grasping reliability is obtainable by forming the driver-wheel 20 with one relatively deep scallop or recess cut in its perimeter as indicated at 28. This larger scallop or gap in the perimeter is wide enough to insure a very positive grip on at least one of the butt rings 21 in the event that the smaller scallops should slip on them or not promptly take hold, but neither this large scallop nor the smaller ones with which it is associated project to such extent or are sharp enough to do, any injury whatever to the bobbin or its yarn.

A variation of bobbin driver design is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 where the scalloped wheel 2|! is substituted by a wider wheel 200. formed with a concaved tread which is covered with a layer of soft rubber, or the like, i. e. a resilient material, having a pebbly traction-producing surface 20b. This wheel also has at least one deep notch 28a, similar to 28, for gaining a position grip in the event of slippage on the bobbin rings and the rubber-like surface extends into the notch. The advantage of the concave tread is that it tends to centralize the bobbin in its passage with relation to the carrier wheel, imposing less of this duty on the other parts. It is preferred on this account.

The marking element proper in the present case is duplex and makes a 2-line mark. It is constituted of two prisms of chalk, 29, carried respectively in the two arms of a bifurcated tray 30, pivotally mounted on the same pivot pin 23 that supports the swinging driver-frame 22 and urged upwardly or toward the bobbin by a spring 3| applied between its rear end and the bottom I l of the chute or guide fixture. One prism is held by its tray arm on one side of the carrier wheel I 9, and the other on the other, so that they tend to keep the bobbin centralized on the carrier wheel. It is for convenience of manufacture that the two tray arms are in one piece instead of being separately mounted with separate springs.

The, upward movement of the tray, toward the driver-wheel, is limited by a lateral lug 30a on the tray abutting against a set-screw 22a,

carried on the driver-frame 22, and the downward movement of both the tray 30 and the driver-frame is limited by another set-screw 22b associated with the hinged joint between the driver-frame 22 and its supporting base 24. The set-screw 22b normally rests on the lug 24a of the base, 24, that is to say, when the mechanism is not engaged in passing a bobbin.

When these set-screws have been correctly adjusted the bobbin-driver 20 will grasp the butt of each arriving bobbin, ride up over it and over the yarn mass thereon, while pushing the bobbin -'forward and at the same time the two chalk prisms 29 bearing upwards with their flat sides against the lower side of the bobbin make a positive mark on the yarn, by rubbing thereon. The

- marking pressure is determined by the proper selection of the spring 3| and it will be noted is independent of the pressure with which the driver exerts against the bobbin and the pressure-wheel IS. The strength of the mark, however, is mainly determined by the length of the side of the chalk prism, which should be at least about two inches. Rubbing such a chalk endwise on the yarn has the effect of rolling the pigment particles into and under the fibres to such an extent that they remain held there making a conspicuous mark, which is far more durable than can be made by the end of the chalk. regardless of the pressure with which it is applied.

Thus in the machine taken for exe'mplification, the bobbin receives two strong longitudinal stripe marks (4a in Fig. 6) which constitute a superior means of bobbin identification.

From the carrier wheel I9 the marked bobbins fall into a receiver not indicated in the drawing.

I claim:

1. In an automatic bobbin winder, the combination with the winding head thereof adapted to release the wound bobbin and a chute for catching the bobbin, of a marking assembly associated with such chute to receive the bobbin end first therefrom and including a pressure-sustaining element and a bobbin driver to press the bobbin against said element to establish a traction grip upon the butt of the bobbin as well as upon the yarn mass wound thereon, and to follow the iongitudinal contour of the bobbin, thereby to propel it through the marking assembly, a pigmentcarrying marking element substantially at the side of said pressure-sustaining element, a spring for holding said pigment-carrying marking element in firm rubbing contact with the bobbin while so propelled, and a driver for actuating said bobbin driver.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said pressure-sustaining element is a carrier wheel on which the bobbin is carried while being propolled by said bobbin driver. 3. The combination of claim 1 in which said pressure-sustaining element is a wheel on which the bobbin is carried while being propelled and which is rotated by reason of the bobbin's engagement therewith.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which said pressure-sustaining element is a carrier wheel to sustain the pressure exerted on the bobbin by the driver element and in which the marking element includes two pigment-carrying members, one on each side of said wheel.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a small wheel journalled on a support, said support being movabhr mounted to enable the wheel to follow the longitudinal contour of the bobbin while driving it.

6. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is journalled in a support which is mounted for movement to and from the bobbin path to enable said bobbin driver to follow the longitudinal contour of the bobbin and in which the power drive of such bobbin driver is so applied as to exert force on said support to press the bobbin driver upon the bobbin.

"I. The combination of claim 1 in which the pressure exerted by the bobbin driver on the bobbin is sustained conJointly by a carrier wheel and by the pigment-carrying member.

8. The combination oi claim 1 in which the pressure exerted by the bobbin-driver on the bobbin is sustained conjointly by a carrier wheel and by the marking element. and in which the marking element is supported in a member yieldingiy related to the bobbin.

.9. The combination of claim 1 in which the pressure-sustaining element is a carrier wheel to sustain the bobbin under the pressure exerted by the driver element and in which the-marking element comprises a forked tray with-pigment carried in each of the arms thereof, making a double stripe-mark on the bobbin.

l0. The-combination of claim -1 in which the marking element includes a holder arranged adjacent the path of the bobbin and containsa prism of chalk presented with its long side in contact with the bobbin and parallel with the movement thereof.

11. The combination of claim 1 in which the pressure-sustaining element is a carrier wheel to sustain the pressure exerted on the by the bobbin driver, a drive shaft concentric with said carrier wheel and a slack sprocket chain serving as an operating connection between said drive shaft and bobbin driver for driving the latter.

12. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a small wheel journalled on a support, said support being movably mounted to enable the wheel to follow the: longitudinal contour of the bobbin while driving it, said pressuresustaining element is a carrier wheel for sustaining the pressure of the driver wheel onthe bobbin, a drive shaft on which such carrier wheel is journalled, and a sprocket chain-drive between said shaft and said bobbin driver.

13. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a scallop-edged wheel journalled in a support which is mounted for movement to and from the bobbin path to enable the wheel to follow the longitudinal contour of the bobbin and grasp the bobbin butt as well as the yarn mass wound on the bobbin.

14. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a scallop-edged wheel adapted to grip the bobbin butt as well as the yarn mass thereon without injury to the latter, said wheel having at least one scallop that is larger than the others.

15. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a wheel having a soft resilient concave tread, and said wheel being mounted for movement toward and from the bobbin.

16. The combination of claim 1 in which the bobbin-driver is a wheel .with a soft resilient, concave tread adapted to grip the bobbin butt and with a radial notch adapted to engage a bobv bin butt in the event of slipp e.

HANS J. THEILER.

REFERENCES CITED Number Name Date 2,400,926 Harding May 28, 1946 2,404,482 Schlums July 23. 1946 

